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Hand in Hand eNewsletter
Read online at www.HandinHandeNews.com MARCH/APRIL 2020
More than
million
1
people in the
United States
are affected by
Parkinson’s
disease.
April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month
April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, and the short, dopamine is the chemical that sends messages to the
already active Parkinson’s community gets into high gear part of the brain that controls movement and coordination.
to raise awareness of this disease that touches the lives of so
many. In fact, you may already be thinking of someone you Men are more likely to be affected by the disease than
know who is affected by the disease. More than one million women. Committing himself to helping increase awareness
people in the U.S. have Parkinson’s disease and that num- and research for a cure, actor Michael J. Fox went public
ber makes supporting the Parkinson’s community even with his own struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He was
more important. By raising awareness, the hope is to im- diagnosed with young-onset in 1991 at the age of 29. The
prove the quality of life of those who have been diagnosed average age onset is 60, but people have been diagnosed as
and to advance research toward medical breakthroughs – young as 18. Every nine minutes there is a new diagnosis,
and ultimately, a cure. which means that in April alone nearly 5,000 people in this
country will learn that they have Parkinson’s disease.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s is a chronic and progressive brain disorder of While the exact cause of the disease is not known, it is at-
the central nervous system. The motor symptoms – tremor, tributed to both genetic and environmental factors such as
slowness, stiffness, along with balance and walking issues
– result from the death of cells that make dopamine. In continued on page 2
1
family history, genetic mutations, drinking well water, and and compassionate home caregivers who can help them
exposure to pesticides or metals. through the routine of daily living.
Parkinson’s is a lifelong, progressive disease - meaning that While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, prescribed
symptoms will slowly worsen over time. In addition to the medications, surgery, along with healthy lifestyle choices
changes in motor skills, a person with the disease can also such as diet and exercise can alleviate some of the symp-
experience depression, constipation, sleep issues, pain, and toms. Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, may
cognitive dysfunction. All this can make activities of daily provide relief from symptoms as well. By taking an active
living challenging. At Assisting Hands® Home Care, we role, those with Parkinson’s can live a full and active life for
understand how daunting living well with Parkinson’s can many years.
be for clients and their family caregivers. We have skilled
The many benefits
tions and semi-squat exercises with deep breathing tech-
niques. This low-impact, slow-motion exercise is found
to be incredibly safe. Its circular movements keep muscles
of tai chi for seniors relaxed while putting minimal strain on bones and joints.
Another benefit of tai chi is that it can be adapted for ev-
ery age and fitness level, including seniors and people with
If you’re new to exercise, or looking for a new form of very limited mobility – even those confined to wheelchairs
physical fitness that’s extremely easy on your body’s joints, or recovering from surgery.
tai chi may be just the thing for you! Dating back over
2,500 years, tai chi is often times described as “meditation Regular practice of tai chi’s gentle, physical exercise can
in motion,” as it’s believed to be able to clear your mind improve muscle strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular
and reduce your stress though focused concentration. endurance. Addressing these fitness components may help
with age-related issues such as muscle loss, symptoms of
Tai chi is an ancient martial art from China that incorpo- arthritis and other joint pain, and breathing problems in-
rates a series of slow, controlled weight shifting body rota- continued on page 3
2
cluding chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). The calming, meditative body movements can help im-
Tai chi exercises can help with arthritis and joint pain prove breathing efficiency, circulation, and sleep, as well as
by helping retain range of motion, so they don’t stiffen lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
further.
One more great thing about tai chi is that no special
Tai chi can help increase leg strength and overall balance, equipment is needed. A skilled teacher can easily adapt
which is essential to helping seniors stay steady on their movements to fit every age and fitness level. Taking a tai
feet and avoid falls. This practice helps with core stability, chi class – either indoors or outdoors – is a great way for
which also improves balance. A study in The New England seniors to socialize with their peers. Contact your local
Journal of Medicine found tai chi to be effective for bal- recreation or senior center for available classes. As always,
ance in people with Parkinson’s disease and other neu- check with your healthcare provider before beginning any
rological problems. By targeting leg strength, flexibility, new exercise routine.
range of motion, and reflexes, tai chi’s exercises may help
you feel sturdier on your feet and, in turn, ease the fear of
falling.
Any type of movement that gets seniors off the couch and
moving can be of a great benefit both physically and men-
tally. Exercise of all kinds can improve cognitive function-
ing – and despite being a less aerobic form of exercise – tai
chi has been shown to have brain benefits as well. Another
study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease re-
ported that tai chi is linked to increases in brain volume,
delayed dementia, and found individuals that practiced tai
chi regularly showed improvements on tests of memory
and thinking.
Challenging Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 1, Book 1
Tai chi’s deep breathing meditation techniques can help
Sudoku #1
relieve stress and improve feelings of overall well-being.
2 8
9 2 4
He who reforms himself, has done more towards reforming the public, than a
2 8 7 1
3 6
crowd of noisy, impotent patriots.
7 9 Sudoku:
-- Lavater
6 4 The aim of Sudoku is to complete the entire grid using the
numbers 1-9. Each number can only be used once in each
8 6 4 1
row, once in each column, and once in each of the 3×3
boxes. This puzzle is challenging!
9 2 7 Visit www.krazydad.com for further tips and help about
how to play – and good luck!
2 9 Sudoku puzzle courtesy of
www.krazydad.com
© 2013 KrazyDad.com
3
Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each
3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.Simply
Delicious
Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken
Serves: 3 Prep time: 10 min Total time: 40 min
Ingredients
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan, divided
1 tsp. garlic powder
Zest of 1/2 lemon
Kosher salt • When chicken is cooked, remove skillet from heat
Freshly ground black pepper and garnish with basil before serving.
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil Banana Pudding Poke Cake
1 tbsp. butter Serves: 10-12 Prep time: 20 min Total time: 45 min
2 cloves garlic, minced Ingredients
2 c. baby spinach Cooking spray, for pan
1 c. heavy cream Flour, for pan
2/3 c. low-sodium chicken broth 1 box yellow cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
1 lemon, sliced in rounds and halved 2 boxes vanilla pudding mix
1/4 c. thinly sliced fresh basil 3 c. milk
2 c. heavy cream
Instructions 2 tbsp. sugar
• On a large plate, combine flour with 1/4 cup Par- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
mesan, garlic powder, and lemon zest. Season generously 3 bananas, thinly sliced
with salt and pepper and mix thoroughly with a fork. 20 Nilla Wafers, 4 crushed
Dredge each chicken breast on all sides with flour mix-
ture. Set aside. Instructions
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil • Make cake: Preheat oven to 350º and grease and
until shimmering but not smoking. Add chicken and sear flour a 9”-x-13” cake pan. Prepare yellow cake mix ac-
until golden, 6 minutes. Flip and cook until opposite side cording to box instructions. Pour batter into prepared
is golden, around 6 minutes more. Remove from pan and pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center
set aside. comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes.
• Turn heat down to medium and add butter to pan. • Meanwhile, prepare pudding: In a small bowl, whisk
When butter is melted add garlic and cook until fragrant, together pudding packets and milk until thick.
about 1 minute. Add spinach and cook until wilted, 1 • In another large bowl, beat cream, sugar, and vanilla
to 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, cream, and remaining until stiff peaks form.
1/2 cup Parmesan and season with more salt and pepper. • Using the handle tip of a wooden spoon, poke holes
Stir to combine. Add lemon slices and bring to a simmer all over the cake. Spread pudding mixture on top and top
and cook until thickened slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Return with a layer of banana slices. Spread whipped cream on
chicken to skillet and simmer until chicken is cooked top and sprinkle all over with crushed and whole Nilla
through, 5 to 6 minutes more. Wafers and more banana slices.
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